SES Daniel search award

Damian BathersbyA journalist for more than 25 years, Damian Bathersby takes a completely irreverent look at life in his weekly blog Through My Eyes. The twice-married father of four and stepfather of two refuses to take things too seriously because he reckons taking cheap shots at life is the only thing that keeps him sane these days.

"Because of the time passed since Daniel's disappearance and the numerous floods that occurred in the area since, the 41-day search had to be conducted by volunteers on hands and knees," he said.

"During what eventuated to be the longest running forensic search carried out in Australia, the 78 members of the Sunshine Coast South Unit sacrificed 4443 man hours away from their work and families."

The Sunshine Coast North SES Unit also was honoured yesterday, named the Regional Unit/Group of the Year in recognition of its work in this year's flooding in Cooroy, Pomona and Tewantin.

"Members of the Sunshine Coast North Unit demonstrated outstanding service to the community during the Cooroy severe weather event in February this year, confirmed to be the most severe weather event ever recorded on the Sunshine Coast," EMQ executive manager Merrick Ilett said.

"Three days later, this event was followed by further flooding in the Tewantin and Pomona areas where Sunshine Coast North members were again activated."

Maroochydore SES Group training officer Donald Patterson was named Regional Member of the Year in recognition of the "wonderful example" he set.

Mr Patterson was described as an outstanding training officer whose quality and level of performance were a "wonderful example of excellence to be aspired to by other groups".

Volunteers presented with SES Week Awards for displaying exceptional dedication to their units and communities included Ronald Birch and Melissa Maynes of Caloundra SES.